surgery for a blood clot in the heart.

[cali111]

I am now waiting for surgery to remove a blood clot in my heart and the surgeon has said he will ablate at the same time. Then my blood pressure went off the scale and I think I am developing heart failure. My GP is no good to change my BP medication as I end up with terrible side effects. I am now left with digoxin and apixiban, but my breathlessness is so bad I am unable to leave the house. I wrote to the cardiologist yesterday and my son delivered it for me to the hospital. I have got to wait for a coronary angiogram that the surgeon has asked for but without getting my BP under control I I will fail to pass for surgery. I am really down now and think that I am not going to survive long enough to get anything done. Am I worrying too much?

[meadfoot]

Of course it's a worry I can't think of anyone who would not be concerned. So how can you proceed. There's little wonder your BP is up, how much of that is due to your anxiety and how much your condition, can you tell.

For instance my BP soars when at the hospital and is quite ok at home, is this an issue for you if so is your surgeon aware of that. You have done the best thing with your son taking in the letter in person. If no reply quickly then it's time to push further I would suggest.

Would going to a and e help in that you need help breathing wise as a priority. That might get you some relief and if you are very lucky some fast tracking the system to help you.

best wishes and cyber hugs.

[cali111 in reply to meadfoot]

Thank you for your reply. I have just been down with flu for two weeks and was in hospital overnight but the ECG didn't detect anything and blood work showed low potassium. I had to stop my Indapamide but restarted it 4 days ago but now I have severe back pain from this. As it is not in the side effects notice I Don't think they believed me. It is my diastolic that is up and swollen ankles which are new. I think my cardiologist will help as he wrote to me recently with an invitation If I had any questions. Fingers crossed!

[10gingercats]

Yes. Drastic circumstances may need drastic action and A and E may be what is needed.

[jeanjeannie50]

Sorry to hear what you are having to put up with Cali, but it sounds as though you have done the best thing by writing to your cardiologist and having your son deliver the letter by hand - good idea! I'll be interested to hear what he advises. Have you asked him for advice on your BP?

How long have you been on the Digoxin? I hate that (mustn't swear) drug with a passion. It played with my emotions and made me feel down and in a daze. I'm just wondering if it's doing the same to you?

Now you know that worry will raise you BP, so you must stop that right now. I know that as a fact as I made mine go sky high when someone mentioned the 'stroke' word to me. It was so high an alarm was going off in the ambulance to hospital, but there was nothing at all wrong with me - no stroke and I had conjured up my BP with worry.

So some nice deep breathing and let your body go floppy, to bring your BP down. Has it always been high, or become worse lately? Realise that worry won't change anything other than damage your health. You have written to your cardiologist and have everything under control. It's just a case of waiting for a response from him.

Big healing hug and always here for you.

Jean

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Cali there are claims that beetroot juice is good for lowering blood pressure. I know someone who has 7oz per day and says it helps her.

[Ktomoph_]

Hi Cali

I am so sorry to hear what is happening....well done you for contacting the cardiologist. I wish you speedy treatment and recovery. And I echo Jean's sending of a big healing hug.

[starry-eyes]

If you would like to try something a bit different to supplement your treatment, I have found meditation recordings lowered my blood pressure and relieved the panic which a lot of us can feel from time to time.